Common Meanings
1
cǎn惨
Cruel, brutal, vicious, inhuman; referring to severe or harsh actions or treatment.
这起虐待动物的事件，手段极其惨无人道
The methods used in this animal abuse incident were extremely brutal.
Tragic, sorrowful, causing great distress or suffering; miserable.
那场事故的场面真是惨不忍睹。
The scene of that accident was truly too horrible to look at.
Refers to a severe or grave degree, indicating a disastrous or miserable outcome, as in '惨败' (disastrous defeat) or '惨重' (heavy/severe).
那支队伍在决赛中惨败，输得很彻底。
That team suffered a disastrous defeat in the final, losing completely.